1. Nouns
Pre-Modifiers

2. What if a single noun isn't specific enough for our purposes?
How then do we modify a noun to construct a specific reference?
NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

3. NOUNS Pre -Modifiers
HOUSE
OLD HOUSE
MAN
LARGE MAN

4. Modification is a somewhat technical term in linguistics
Modification is a somewhat technical term in linguistics. It does not mean to change something, as when we "modify" a car or dress. To modify means to limit, restrict, characterize, or otherwise focus meaning. We use this meaning throughout the discussion here.
NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

5. Modifiers before the noun are called pre-modifiers
Modifiers before the noun are called pre-modifiers. All of the pre-modifiers and the noun together form a noun phrase .
NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

6. The most common pre-modifiers are adjectives, such as red , long , hot
The most common pre-modifiers are adjectives, such as red , long , hot . Other types of words often play this same role. Not only articles - the water but also verbs - running water and possessive pronouns - her thoughts
NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

7. Pre-modifiers limit the reference in a wide variety of ways
Pre-modifiers limit the reference in a wide variety of ways. Order: second, last Location: kitchen, westerly Source or Origin: Canadian Color: red, dark Smell: acrid, scented Material: metal, oak Size: large, 5-inch Weight: heavy Luster: shiny, dull
NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

8. Each construction would function as a single unit within a sentence.
The noun phrase is the most common unit in English sentences.
NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

9. See how much you can expand a pre-modifier in a noun phrase:
the book
the history book
the American history book
the illustrated American history book
the recent illustrated American history book
the recent controversial illustrated American history book
the recent controversial illustrated leather bound American history book